This page is part of the Veterinary Reproductive Pathology website
Dr Rob Foster
OVC Pathobiology, University of Guelph
© All materials are copyright and should only be used with the expressed permission of the author.
The spermatic cord is a structure composed of the testicular artery and veins that form the pampiniform plexus, lymphatics and the deferent duct. It is covered by the vaginal tunic and by the cremaster muscle. Disease of this area is rare, or accompanies disease of the adjacent tissues.
Funiculitis
C. J. Caniglia*, J. L. Davis†, H. C. Schott, III‡ and J. E. Brakenhoff (2014) Septic funiculitis caused by Streptococcus equi subspecies equi
infection with associated immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia. Equine Vet Educ 2014; 26: 227-233
A varix or varices of this area is called a varicocele. It can be a small structure comprised of dilated veins, but usually those that are clinicaly identified are large and thrombosed. Varicocele is common in humans as the left testicular vein terminates at the left renal vein, and the insertion site causes increased pressure in this location. Spontaneous cases of primary varicocele in dogs are not reported, but dogs are used as an experimental model for varicocele in man. Increasing pressure in the spermatic vein has been done by surgical ligation.
This topic is covered under scrotum and tunics
Inflammation of the spermatic cord is called funisitis or funiculitis. Inflammation of the cord is unusual.
Vascultitis of the vessels is reported and seen occasionally.